Courtney McKeen ’27
Sports Editor
Just one year after leaving Holy Cross, C.J. Hanson traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana with the Kansas City Chiefs to compete in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles. Although Hanson himself did not play in the game, it is an honor to have Holy Cross represented at one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
The Chiefs have been one of the top teams in the NFL, entering this season with two consecutive Super Bowl wins, hoping to three-peat this year. The Chiefs had a 15-2 regular season record, only falling to the Buffalo Bills (who they later beat for a spot in the Super Bowl at the AFC Championship) and the Denver Broncos.
On February 9, 2025, they played in the Super Bowl, which they have won three times since 2019. The team hoped to make history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls, but with a final score of 40-22, they ultimately lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Their success is due in part to having some of the most notable players and coaches in the league, such as Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Head Coach Andy Reid. Needless to say, the switch from a small Patriot League school to one of the best teams in the NFL is a huge transition to make in only a year. Despite this, Hanson is no stranger to success on the field. In his five years on Fitton Field, he was part of five consecutive Patriot League titles.
Hanson was drafted to Kansas City in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft, and he made history as the first Crusader to be drafted since 1989. The last was Rob McGovern, a Linebacker who was also drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs. He made his NFL debut for the Chiefs as a Guard against the Denver Broncos on January 5, 2025. He was one of five former Holy Cross players to appear in an NFL game during the 2024 season. Others include Jalen Coker (WR, Carolina Panthers), Liam Anderson (LB, Indianapolis Colts), Benton Whitley (OLB, New York Giants), and Kalif Raymond (WR, Detroit Lions).
C.J. Hanson and Jalen Coker played together at Holy Cross until 2023, and both entered the NFL the same year. Ahead of the Chiefs game against the Carolina Panthers, the two reunited for a jersey swap.
With players like C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross has found success in the NFL, and it is certain that Holy Cross’s program is equipped to set players up for success.
Featured image courtesy of The Worcester Telegram
Copy Edited by Yana Giannoutsos ’28
Web Edited by Zexuan Qu ‘28
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